Adam Stone 0:05

The sacred rhythm creation, the Sabbath and growing faith.

Finn 0:11

Welcome to episode three of the Latter Day Faith. Podcast, the sacred rhythm creation, the Sabbath and growing faith. Hello, dear friends and welcome to the very first official episode of the Torch Bearer Tier. Here at Latter Day Faith you're listening to the Latter Day Faith podcast, a space for honest questions, real experiences, and spiritual reflection rooted in the gospel of Jesus Christ, hosted by Finn episode titles read by Adam Stone.

Now let's step into today's conversation. I just want to say how truly grateful I am that you're here with us today. This episode is brought to you by the generous support of Kenneth Phair Studio and Kenneth Phair Music Group. It's with deep gratitude that I acknowledge the hands and heart behind this entire episode. Kenneth Phair, who lovingly wrote, directed, edited, mixed and mastered every part of what you're about to hear. The music throughout this episode was provided and produced by SoundRaw, setting the tone for the sacred and thoughtful space we hope to create, as for the insights we'll be exploring together. They're drawn in part from the Old Testament Study Guide, start to finish, by Thomas R. Valletta, a powerful and inspired work distributed by Deseret Book. I'd also like to take a moment to share this with openness and clarity the thoughts, interpretations, and perspectives expressed here are those of Kenneth Phair. They do not represent the official doctrine or positions of the Church of Jesus Christ, of Latter Day Saints, any mistakes, oversights or misinterpretations, are his alone, and they are shared with humility in a spirit of seeking and honest faith. Thank you truly for being here, for choosing to walk this path with us. We hope this episode nourishes your soul, strengthens your light and reminds you that your faith, your questions and your journey all matter deeply. Let's begin

Adam Stone 2:06

in the beginning a journey through Genesis,

Finn 2:10

Welcome, dear soul, to the foundation of all scripture, the sacred threshold where the story of humanity begins. In this segment, we gently open the first pages of the Old Testament and step into the profound depth of the book of Genesis. Together, we'll explore not just the events, but the meaning behind them, creation, covenant, fall, faith and the enduring love of a God who calls us by name. May this journey through Genesis be more than a study, may it become a sacred encounter that invites reflection, connection and the quiet whisper of personal revelation. We're so glad you're here

Adam Stone 2:47

The gift of Genesis, reflections on creation and respecting life.

Finn 2:52

Welcome. We're so grateful to have you with us for this sacred journey through the Old Testament. As a torchbearer member, you're receiving something truly special first hand reflections from Kenneth Phair as he shares his personal scripture study spiritual insights and the experiences that have shaped his faith. These moments are offered with humility and love in hopes that they resonate with your own spiritual walk. In our study, we'll be using the King James version of the Holy Bible. If you read from a different translation, that's perfectly okay. What matters most is the spirit in which we study, not the wording. Now, as we open the Bible and turn to the book of Genesis, something simple yet profound stands out. The word Genesis means origin or beginning, and what a beginning it is the creation of the world, its beauty, its balance, its mystery, speaks volumes about the divine mind behind it all. Kenneth Phair shares this reflection when I think about creation and you see the way the world is, it's amazing and honestly a little overwhelming. Everything is in perfect order. It all aligns in ways I don't believe we could fully comprehend, even if it were shown to us, and that, to me, reveals the glory of our Heavenly Father. Before this earth existed, before its inhabitants walked the soil, there was already a plan, there was purpose, there was spiritual life, even if we don't have a full record of everything that took place before this world came into being, we do know this. We existed as spirits before we became mortal, and so did all of creation, plants, animals, the earth itself. What a beautiful truth that is. Take a moment to let that sink in you. Me, every soul was created first in spirit, how sacred, how intentional, how divine. While science offers many theories and there is wisdom to be found in seeking knowledge, Kenneth invites us to consider this question honestly. Do we truly believe this world came into being by chance? Is it really possible that.

Such a miracle just happened randomly and without purpose, to Kenneth and to many of us walking this path of faith, the answer is no, the creation of this world is not a random miracle. It is a divine miracle crafted with care, with wisdom and with love. In reflecting on this, Kenneth also opened his heart about the man he once was, a man who chased the world and its pleasures, who lived with a hardened heart, thinking only of himself, but in the light of this truth, the wonder of creation, his heart began to change. All life is precious. He now says, All life matters. All life serves a purpose, and when you begin to see life through that lens, the world transforms. You begin to see with new eyes. You grow in reverence, not just for nature, but for each other. In many ancient cultures, there was a deep respect for the earth and all that sustained life. Somehow, over time, we've lost much of that. We've forgotten how to truly honor the world we live in and the people we live with. But there is hope. Kenneth believes, and we believe that one of the first steps to healing this world is to respect life in all its forms. So how do we do that? Here are a few reflections rooted in faith and compassion. One, respect for people.

Every person is a child of God. To respect life means to treat others with kindness, patience and dignity, even when we disagree, listening with an open heart and loving without judgment is one of the highest forms of reverence in the Doctrine and Covenants 18:10, it says, Remember, the worth of Souls is great in the sight of God. Two, care for animals. God created all living creatures. When we show compassion toward them, we reflect divine stewardship, whether it's caring for a pet, advocating for humane treatment, or simply appreciating their place in creation, it matters. Three, protect the Earth. This world is a sacred trust, a living, breathing gift. Respecting life means protecting the environment, not just for ourselves, but for those who come after us. In Psalm 24:1, it says, The earth is the Lord's and the fullness thereof. Four, honor your own life. Self respect is part of respecting God's creation, care for your body, feed your soul, rest, heal, grow. God didn't create you to simply exist. He created you to thrive. Five live with compassion. Every act of love, no matter how small, adds light to the world. When we serve uplift and choose Grace over judgment, we honor the miracle of life itself. As we move forward through the Scriptures, may this foundation of reverence carry us, may we see the world with sacred eyes, and may we remember we are part of something greater, a divine story that began in the beginning and continues with us. Thank you for being here. Thank you for walking this Sacred Path,

Adam Stone 8:06

sacred rest, honoring the gift of the Sabbath,

Finn 8:12

Dear friend, thank you for being here with us today. We're honored to walk this sacred path with you in a world that rarely slows down your presence here, your choice to pause already says something beautiful about your spirit. Now let's take a few minutes to reflect on something that quietly shapes our spiritual rhythm each week, the Sabbath day, and why it's so important as a time to truly rest in a culture that praises productivity and hustle, the Sabbath stands apart. It's God's quiet reminder. Come rest with me. From the very beginning, the pattern was clear in Genesis, it says, And on the seventh day, God ended His work, which he had made, and he rested. But here's the thing, God didn't rest because he was tired. He rested to bless the day, to make it holy, to set an example for us, his children, because rest isn't weakness, it's worship. Let's break this down one. Rest reminds us we're not machines. We are not here just to check boxes, hit deadlines or stay on the grind. The Sabbath reminds us that our value doesn't come from our doing, but from our being. We are sons and daughters of God, and He cares more about who we are becoming than what we are producing. Two rest creates space for God. When we slow down and turn off the noise, we create room for something eternal. The Sabbath makes space for stillness, for prayer, for scripture, for peace, and in that space, God speaks three rest strengthens our relationships. The Sabbath is not just personal, it's communal. It's a time to reconnect with family, to gather with friends, to be with fellow saints. To share a meal, to look one another in the eyes and say, I see you. You matter. Four. Rest resets our spirit. Let's be honest, life can wear us thin. The Sabbath is more than just a break. It's a spiritual reset button, a way for God to refill us with hope, purpose and peace. As Jesus said the Sabbath was made for man and not man for the Sabbath (Mark 2:27), so next time Sunday comes around, maybe it's less about what you can't do and more about what you get to receive rest, connection, peace, God's presence, because the Sabbath isn't just a commandment, it's a gift. And this is something that Kenneth Phair knows from experience. There was a time in his life when the Sabbath meant nothing more than another work day, seven days a week, 12 to 15 hours a day, always chasing more more money, more success, more recognition. He placed work and wealth above everything, above God, above his family, even above his own well being. And the toll was deep. His health declined, his marriage suffered. His spiritual responsibilities began to fall away, even after being baptized into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, the habit of overworking was hard to break. It took nearly eight months for him to truly understand what it meant to honor the Sabbath, because it's not easy to let go of the world. It's not easy to surrender control and trust that rest is sacred, not lazy, but God was patient, and Kenneth began to see the signs. He noticed he wasn't fulfilling his Sunday school secretary calling. He was missing meetings. He had been blessed financially, but he wasn't paying a full tithe, and he knew deep down, something was off. That's when the true test of faith came. Would he really keep the Sabbath day holy? Would He trust God enough to rest? When Kenneth began honoring the Sabbath, everything started to shift. His Spirit began to heal. His marriage found new strength. His time with family deepened, and his connection with God became real. Again, rooted, not rushed. The Sabbath taught him that rest is an act of faith, and he's here today, not just to share this story, but to encourage you in your own wherever you are on your journey, whatever struggles you carry. Know this God doesn't need perfection. He desires your heart, and He invites you every week to come and rest with him. Thank you for spending this time with us. May your Sabbaths become a sanctuary, a space to breathe, to heal and to remember who you truly are. We're so grateful to walk this path with you.

Speaker 1 12:43

The cost of rest when honoring the Sabbath tests your faith.

Finn: 12:49

Dear friend, thank you for being here. We pray this space continues to be a refuge for your spirit, a moment of pause in a world that moves fast, and a reminder that you're not walking this journey alone. Today, we want to talk about something that many of us have wrestled with silently. What does it really mean to honor the Sabbath when it feels like life won't stop for you to rest? Let's be real. Honoring the Sabbath in today's world isn't always easy. Deadlines don't stop. Bills still need to be paid. Opportunities keep knocking even on Sundays, and in a world that runs 24/7 choosing to rest can feel like falling behind, but maybe that's the test. Maybe Sabbath Rest is where temporal pressure meets eternal trust. When we decide to stop working, when we say no to more hustle and more output, we're saying yes to something bigger, faith in God's timing, God's provision and God's promise. Because it takes real faith to believe that six days of labor blessed by the Lord can be more fruitful than seven days of striving on your own. And that kind of trust, it's not passive. It's powerful. When we resist rest, it often comes from fear. What if I lose momentum? What if I don't make enough? What if I fall behind? But the Sabbath isn't about falling behind, it's about remembering who's really leading. Prove me now here with saith the LORD Malachi, 310, it's the same invitation, trust me, let go for one day and watch how I show up for you. So yes, not resting on the Sabbath does test your faith, but maybe that test is what grows your faith. The world says, keep pushing God, says, Be still and know that I am God. And the more we learn to trust that voice, when the more peace we find, even in a world that never stops moving, how do we put our faith in the Lord? So it grows. Faith isn't something we just have, it's something we build like a muscle. It grows only when we use it, especially in moments that are uncomfortable, uncertain, even scary. It. So how do we exercise that kind of faith? Sometimes it starts with the smallest, most ordinary choices. Let me share a story about Kenneth Phair. There was a time when keeping the Sabbath holy wasn't just a principle, it was a battle. You see, Kenneth is self employed. That means no safety net, no sick days, no paid time off. If he didn't work, he didn't get paid, and the fear was real, what if I don't make enough this week? What if I let my family down? What if my kids miss out because I chose rest over hustle, and yet, through prayer, reflection and courage that only comes through grace, Kenneth made a choice to trust. He chose to honor the Sabbath even when it didn't make sense on paper, week by week, he laid those fears down, and in their place, he picked up faith. He stopped working Sundays. He leaned into his calling as a primary teacher for the valiant 10s. He began paying a full tithing, trusting God with not just his time, but his finances and the result in Kenneth's own words, I learned to not just have faith, but to be a true believer. It was hard, but once you exercise that faith, you see the importance of keeping the Sabbath day holy and how it aligns with everything else. I am truly grateful that I could grow to see the miracles with keeping the Sabbath day holy and how it has strengthened my faith. That's what it means to trust the Lord, not just when it's easy, but when it costs something, when it stretches you, when it feels risky, when you give up control, just long enough to see what God might do with your obedience. So let me ask you, where is God inviting you to trust him more? Is there a place in your life where fear is louder than faith right now? What would it look like to take one small step in his direction, even if it's uncomfortable? Is he asking you to slow down, to give something up, to rest, to forgive, to return, whatever it is, pause and pray, Lord, where do you want me to exercise my faith today? Because when you move with even a little faith, God meets you with big grace, and in that space, faith becomes real. Thank you for being here, thank you for showing up with an open heart. May you continue to grow in faith. May you find courage and stillness, and may you always remember the Sabbath isn't just a break, it's a blessing, a gift from God to remind you you're not alone. You're already enough, and he's already at work, even while you rest

Adam Stone: 17:36

in the beginning, reflecting on creation and our divine purpose.

Finn: 17:42

Thank you for joining me today. It's such a gift to share this time with you, wherever you are, however you're tuning in. My prayer is that this space feels like a pause, a deep breath, a quiet place to reconnect with truth. Today we're going back back to the beginning, back to creation, not just as a story in Scripture, but as a personal invitation to reflect on who God is and who we are because of him. As we talk about the Sabbath and the journey of exercising our faith, it helps to revisit where it all started. In the book of Genesis, we read of a God who didn't create the world in chaos or haste, but with intention, with beauty and with love. He separated light from darkness. He placed the stars in the sky. He formed oceans, mountains and land. He breathed life into man and woman, and then he rested, not because he was tired, but to set apart a rhythm, a rhythm that invites us into something holy. Rest, reflection, relationship. Let's pause and think together. Have you ever truly considered the creation as a personal gift from God to you? What does it say about his character that he made a world full of color, harmony and wonder before we even existed? Why would an all powerful God take his time to craft something so beautiful and then place it in our care? The heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament showeth his handiwork. Psalm 91 so the question is, do we live like we believe that's true? Creation didn't happen in one instant. It unfolded slowly, day by day, moment by moment, light, Sky, land, stars, creatures, human beings, and then he rested. And on the seventh day, God ended His work, which he had made, and he rested and sanctified it. Genesis, two, two through three. Now let's ask, Why would an all powerful God need to rest? Could it be that the rest wasn't for him, but for us? What does it say about God's love that he built rest into the rhythm of life? God knew the world would be loud, demanding, restless and. So he gave us a day to slow down, to breathe, to remember who we are and whose we are. When you look at a sunrise or walk beneath trees, do you feel closer to the Creator, or are we often too distracted by schedules, by screens, by stress, to truly see what he's given us? What would change in our lives if we treated the earth as sacred ground and the Sabbath as holy time? And maybe the most personal question of all, if God created the earth with such detail and care, what does that say about the attention he put into creating you? You are not random. You are not an accident. You are the work of divine hands formed with the same love and intention that shaped the seas, the skies and the stars. Look around you. The world God made isn't just functional, it's beautiful. Creation wasn't utilitarian. It was artistic, relational, sacred. The earth is the Lord's and the fullness thereof, the world and they that dwell therein. Psalm 24: 1. Let me ask, have you ever seen the earth as a gift, not just for surviving but for spiritually connecting? When was the last time you stood in awe of the world around you and felt God in it? Could it be that honoring the Sabbath and caring for creation are part of the same sacred invitation. So what about you? Where in your life is God inviting you to trust him more? Is there a place where fear is louder than peace, where faith feels risky? Could God be calling you to rest, not just for your body, but for your soul? Now think back again to the beginning. If God created the world with such care and purpose, what does that say about the purpose he has for you? Could your faith, your rest, your willingness to stop and trust Him be part of your creation story? The Sabbath is more than a commandment. It's a rhythm. Faith is more than belief. It's action, even when it's hard. Creation is more than history. It's an invitation to walk with God in a world he made with a soul he loves. So as you step into this week, ask yourself, Where can I choose faith over fear? Where can I rest, not just physically, but spiritually, in the truth that God is in control. Thank you for joining me today, on Latter Day. Faith, if this episode spoke to your heart, share it with someone you love. Leave a review, or, better yet, step outside, look up, look around and take a moment to simply breathe. You were created with purpose, and the more you rest in that truth, the more your faith will grow.

Adam Stone: 22:42

Recap reminders and real faith

Finn: 22:45

As this episode comes to a close, here's a quick recap of what was covered. You were invited to reflect on the creation of the Earth, the sacred importance of Sabbath rest, and how choosing to trust the Lord, especially in a world that constantly demands more, can be a true exercise of faith through stories like Kenneth phairs, the episode highlighted how real spiritual growth often begins when we surrender control and act on our belief in God's promises. The message was simple but powerful. Rest is not weakness, it's worship, and the Earth itself, in all its beauty and rhythm, is a divine reminder that we were created with purpose. Upcoming episodes and special features, a special audio story titled The witnesses, premieres on Monday, April 7, 2025 at 12pm and it's free for everyone. You can tune in right here on the latter day faith podcast to hear this powerful and immersive narrative. Then on Wednesday, at 10am a follow up episode will take listeners behind the scenes of the story, exploring how it came together, the inspiration behind it, and why it was created. Disclaimer, thanks for listening to this episode of Latter Day faith just a reminder the thoughts and opinions shared here are those of Kenneth Phair and do not represent the official teachings or position of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Any errors or misinterpretations are solely his responsibility. Until next time, may faith continue to guide your steps.